It was my one month anniversary in London yesterday! I think it's nuts that I've been here for a month already, it still feels like I just got here but then I think back on everything that's happened and ya, it's definitely been a month. And a good month too!!! Can't wait for the next 23. Also can't wait to start travelingggggggg!!!!!! Once this job thing gets a bit more secure or at least once my bank account starts looking relatively healthy, I'm off!! In the meantime I think I'm gonna start doing some country weekend trips in England so I can get to see the British country side. My mom has a cousin that lives in Bath so I think I'll try to head there later this month and then start planning some other trips after that.
Last night I went to this club/lounge called Koko Bar. It started off not too fun cause I got there at the time I planned to meet with my friend and her boyfriend and then they ended up being an hour late because their ride was running late and the club had no coat check so I just sat there in my coat annoyed for an hour. But once they got there and I ditched my coat in their car, it got fun and then funner and then I ended up having a fantastic time! The music was non-stop great. Seriously, every time I sat down for a second to rest my feet, another great song would come on and I would have to get back up and dance. One really interesting thing about the bar is that they played a lot of Nigerian music. Sounds strange, I know, but they were essentially just catering to the audience and I think the DJ was Nigerian as well. I already love Nigerian music cause my dad loves it and used to play it non-stop on our road trips when I was younger. But this music was the more recent stuff from younger artists so it's quite contemporary and fun to dance to. Apparently more and more clubs here are playing Nigerian and African music because there are so many really good artists coming out. I loved it.
At the end of the night, I took the night bus home for the first time. I had considered taking it home last weekend but I just felt super uncomfortable with the idea and ended up cabbing it.This weekend tho, for some reason, I was certain the night bus was the way to go so I planned out my routes and put them in my phone before I went out. I brought along tights and flats to put on so as not to draw attention to what I might or might not be wearing under my coat and I was set. Of course, the stupid website gave me the wrong bus numbers but I've been here long enough now that I know which buses to look out for and which general direction I should be headed in. And the bus drivers and very nice out here (not like at home) so they're generally very helpful. One jolly old black bus driver gave me such precise details last night, I almost asked him for his number so I could phone him up whenever I get lost. Anyhoo, I found my way home without too much trouble, didn't even get on the wrong bus or anything! It took about an hour so I got off the bus just before 4 am and speed walked to my place. It was only about a 2 minute walk from the bus stop but at that hour, I didn't want to be strolling along at a leisurely pace, even though this is a good neighbourhood. I'm really proud of myself for my little nightbus adventure. And I'm excited to think of all the money I'll be saving by not cabbing it home all the time!
Also, great news: I found several brands of Caesar salad dressing AND two different kinds of croutons at Sainsbury's!!! I was thrilled and may or may not have done a little dance in the aisle when I found these items. And this little dance may or may not have caused several people to look at me like I was crazy and a child to hide behind his mother's legs and peer out at me frightened. Anyways, to hell with them, I've had two GIANT chicken Caesar salads in the past two days and they were both delicious!! And today, i just ate some croutons with Caesar dressing! Very delicious. Some of you might be disgusted, but then you must also not be aware of my love of croutons. Now you know. I am so happy I do not have to go another 23 months without a Caesar salad. It doesn't make up for the turkey bacon but I still have to go to that American grocery store to see if they have it. To be honest, I'm putting it off cause I'm scared they don't have it and I really won't have any turkey bacon until one of you nice people send me some (HINT HINT). So I figure if I wait long enough, one of you will have already put some in the post and then if the super market doesn't have any, I won't have to wait too long before my turkey bacon care package arrives :)
HINT HINT!!!!!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
SERIOUSLY???!!!!!!
Today I came home from work and decided I would have a giant chicken Caesar salad for dinner with croutons and parm cheese and the works. So, I changed and off I went with my 'Don't think mean, think green' reusable shopping bag, happy as a clam. I stopped at the cheap grocery store to get my salad and then planned to go to the expensive grocery store for the fixings (chicken, dressing, croutons). Got my chicken, and I'm on the hunt for my croutons and dressing. I come to the dressing section first. After about 1 full minute of starting and the two small shelf areas with salad dressing, it slowly sinks in that they do not have Caesar dressing...I think I must have missed it, right? So I look again, deliberately reading each label. And still no Caesar dressing. Now I think back to the various menus I've seen over the past four weeks and like a black cloud, along comes the realization that they don't have Caesar salad OR Caesar dressing here!!!! SERIOUSLY???!!!!!! I am NOT impressed with this place. First turkey bacon, now Caesar salad dressing??? Two staples of my diet snatched out from my reach. I am thoroughly unhappy with this new development.
Stupid London, with their stupid 'Heinz Salad Cream' and fresh ham bacon. F%"*, F$%@ity, F$%! aRGh!
....
SERIOUSLY???!!!!!!
Stupid London, with their stupid 'Heinz Salad Cream' and fresh ham bacon. F%"*, F$%@ity, F$%! aRGh!
....
SERIOUSLY???!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Researching, cooking and such
So I've been temping yesterday and today at this Communications Agency in Notting Hill. It's good, kinda boring, but nowhere near as horrific as that data formatting job last week. I am still in full possession of my will to live so that's a good sign. The only sucky part is that the hours at 9-6, which is very common here. It's really long so I take my lunch around 2 or 2:30 to help the time pass.
I must say that I had no idea my weirdo story would spark such interest. I will do my best to report further on the other weirdos I meet cause there are tons. Last weekend while waiting in Liverpool Station I saw some ridiculously strange things including a man who from the front looked bald but from the back had a little patch of unshaved hair so long he had it pulled into a ponytail. He was also wearing quite fitted capri pants. I stared at him long and hard trying to comprehend exactly what was going on. I also saw a girl in dress so short it and tight it rode up and showed her bum when she walked. I know I have been known to wear some pretty short things, but there is a limit to how short I will go and bum-bearing dresses is it.
Sidenote about short dresses/skirts: professional skirts and dresses go suprisingly short over here. Things that at home I would hem and haw trying to decide if it was too short for work (and then wear anyways) are totally fine over here. It's fantastic!!! I think it's cause everyone wears flats to work cause they have to take the tube.But really, it's nice :)
Anyways, I've posted a pic of my delicious afternoon snack I had at work today. It was a limonada or Italian lemon soda and a cinnabella (I think I made that up, but it was called something like that). It was a homemade doughnut. VERY similar to the ones I had in my cookbook. It's inspired me to make some cause they're delicious and easy to make. I had it at this little Italian cafe/restaurant in Notting Hill. I've walked past it a dozen times and never noticed it until today.
OH! And while on the topic of food, I made my own version of Moxie's Warm Mosaic Dip last night. It was delicious. The only difference between mine and Moxies was that I mixed the mushrooms with minced lamb which was amazing. It was lamb and mushrooms with a ton of garlic and red onions topped with diced tomatoes topped with seasoned goat cheese. I ate it with naan bread which was the closest thing I could find to flat bread. So delicious. I didn't take a pic cause it didn't actually look very appetizing, it just smelled and tasted amazing. I still have some left. So good. I wish I could share it with you all so that you could tell me what good cook I am ;)
Oh, and there's also a picture of Mabel the dog! Isn't she adorable??!!!
Mmmmm, homemade doughnut. It's just occurred to me that this may have been a Greek restaurant and not an Italian one.
Isn't she's sooo sweet??? Aaaaaawww Mabul Wabul!!!
I must say that I had no idea my weirdo story would spark such interest. I will do my best to report further on the other weirdos I meet cause there are tons. Last weekend while waiting in Liverpool Station I saw some ridiculously strange things including a man who from the front looked bald but from the back had a little patch of unshaved hair so long he had it pulled into a ponytail. He was also wearing quite fitted capri pants. I stared at him long and hard trying to comprehend exactly what was going on. I also saw a girl in dress so short it and tight it rode up and showed her bum when she walked. I know I have been known to wear some pretty short things, but there is a limit to how short I will go and bum-bearing dresses is it.
Sidenote about short dresses/skirts: professional skirts and dresses go suprisingly short over here. Things that at home I would hem and haw trying to decide if it was too short for work (and then wear anyways) are totally fine over here. It's fantastic!!! I think it's cause everyone wears flats to work cause they have to take the tube.But really, it's nice :)
Anyways, I've posted a pic of my delicious afternoon snack I had at work today. It was a limonada or Italian lemon soda and a cinnabella (I think I made that up, but it was called something like that). It was a homemade doughnut. VERY similar to the ones I had in my cookbook. It's inspired me to make some cause they're delicious and easy to make. I had it at this little Italian cafe/restaurant in Notting Hill. I've walked past it a dozen times and never noticed it until today.
OH! And while on the topic of food, I made my own version of Moxie's Warm Mosaic Dip last night. It was delicious. The only difference between mine and Moxies was that I mixed the mushrooms with minced lamb which was amazing. It was lamb and mushrooms with a ton of garlic and red onions topped with diced tomatoes topped with seasoned goat cheese. I ate it with naan bread which was the closest thing I could find to flat bread. So delicious. I didn't take a pic cause it didn't actually look very appetizing, it just smelled and tasted amazing. I still have some left. So good. I wish I could share it with you all so that you could tell me what good cook I am ;)
Oh, and there's also a picture of Mabel the dog! Isn't she adorable??!!!
Mmmmm, homemade doughnut. It's just occurred to me that this may have been a Greek restaurant and not an Italian one.
Isn't she's sooo sweet??? Aaaaaawww Mabul Wabul!!!
Monday, September 28, 2009
And the Weirdo Award goes to...
Alright so that weekend was not that interesting. Did my hair Friday, as I've already reported. The puking girl was ok by the way. I've posted pics of the hair below for those of you who care to take a look, feedback is appreciated!
Sunday my bed got set up, which is nice. I enjoy it. Makes my room seem smaller but it's still a good size. I still need to buy a microwave and a full length mirror but I'm just too lazy to bring either item home on the bus. Maybe this weekend...
So on to the weirdo award. I've seen a lot of weirdos here but this one tops them all so far. This occurred Saturday night around 10:30 pm. I was in the tube station waiting for the tube to go meet my friends cause we were going to a 'black rave'. Essentially a social. I was scared when I heard the word 'rave' but that's just London speak for social. It wasn't good. I don't feel like elaborating cause it just reminds me that I wasted a fabulous outfit and £15 and did not enjoy myself. Anyways, back to the tube station. I have my fabulous outfit on beneath my long empire waist coat and flats. My shoes are in my bag. I'm waiting for the tube and I actually just missed it so I'm the only person standing on my side of the platform. I'm on the phone with friend. I notice a man walk by but I don't really pay any attention. I end the call and the following conversation ensues between me and the other man on the platform. This isn't word for word but it's pretty close having been imprinted in my memory as one of the strangest conversations ever:
Him: (really loud) Hey, are you American or something? (He was actually standing much closer to me than I expected)
Me: (at a normal level) No, I'm Canadian
Him: REally? Canadian. Wow. So what are you doing here?
Me: Just came to work and travel.
Him:Sure sure, you came to check out the London men.
Me: What?!
Him: I know, don't worry. How old are you?
Me: 23, how old are you? (I asked this because he looked about 35 and I was hoping my young age would bring him shame and scare him off)
Him: 27 (bullshitty!! He was definitely at least 35, he had grey hairs in his beard)
Me: 27, really? I see. (Here I tried to end the conversation by looking away in the direction of the train for a good 20 seconds)
Him: How long have you been here?
Me: 3 weeks
Him: REally? Wow. Then you need someone to show you around.
Me: No, I don't.
Him: Yes you do. I'll show you around. I'll show you a good time.
Me: No, really, I have plenty of people to show me around. I'm fine, thanks though.
Him: Do you live near here?
Me: Yes.
Him: Where?
Me: Near here.
Him: Do you have a man? (This was less of a question and more of a demand, I had barely finished responding to his previous question)
Me: Ummm...no. (As soon as I said no, I realized I should have said yes)
Him: WHAT?! (this was pretty much yelled and made the people on the other side of the platform look over)
Me: ......(silence and looking away again, praying for the train to come)
Him: How is is possible? (Still pretty much yelling)
Me: ......I'm not sure?
Him: New, Canadian and fine, how can you not have a man? (Still way too loud)
Me: (praying: Dear God, please let the train come, please, please, please)
Him: mmm mmm (still staring at me)
Me: Oh, thank God. (the train pulls up. I walk away from him and he follows. I stop near one door, he stops, then I walk on to another car, he follows. I sigh and get on. He follows me on and starts gesturing to one of the two-person seats at the back. I ignore him and go sit one seat away from a man and put my bag down beside me. He comes to stand beside where I'm sitting, I ignore him)
Him: (leaning over and into my face) How can you not have a man?
Me: I'm quite happy actually.
Him: You're happy without a man? (incredulously)
Me: Ya.
Him: What, are you celibate or something?
Me: What?!
Him: Are you celibate?
Me: How is that any of your business (I'm starting to be rude now)
Him: I asked you a question.
Me: Well the answer is none of your business.
Him: How come sexual questions are so prohibited in our society?
Me: Seriously?? Because of their nature (In retrospect I should have gotten up and moved away but I was so annoyed with this psycho, I couldn't help answering)
Him: No, really, why are sexual questions so prohibited? What is everyone afraid of? (He seemed to think he was being really philosophical and deep)
Me:....(silence)
Him: (after about 1 full minute of silence) Can I just ask you one more question that's been on my mind for a while now?
Me: (silence, looking straight ahead)
Him: Why don't you wear you natural hair? I see all these black women wearing white woman hair and it pisses me off. Are you ashamed? Why do you want to look like a white woman?
Me: I can't really answer on behalf of all black women.
Him: Well then answer on behalf of you.
Me: I just like my hair like this, alright?!! ( I was PISSED. He should know that you DO NOT ask a black woman why she wears weaves or imply that she shouldn't. You just don't.)
Him: Alright, alright, it was just a question.
I guess he saw how mad I was cause he didn't say anything else after that. And, thank God, he did not follow me off the tube when I got off. I was kinda scared he would. But I was prepared to go straight to the security guard if he did. So that guy wins the Weirdo Award of the week. I pray I do not meet anyone weirder than that this week. And that I don't ever run into him again. Below are the pics of my hair which apparently so offended the weirdo and yet is probably half the reason he noticed me in the first place. Dumbass.
Sunday my bed got set up, which is nice. I enjoy it. Makes my room seem smaller but it's still a good size. I still need to buy a microwave and a full length mirror but I'm just too lazy to bring either item home on the bus. Maybe this weekend...
So on to the weirdo award. I've seen a lot of weirdos here but this one tops them all so far. This occurred Saturday night around 10:30 pm. I was in the tube station waiting for the tube to go meet my friends cause we were going to a 'black rave'. Essentially a social. I was scared when I heard the word 'rave' but that's just London speak for social. It wasn't good. I don't feel like elaborating cause it just reminds me that I wasted a fabulous outfit and £15 and did not enjoy myself. Anyways, back to the tube station. I have my fabulous outfit on beneath my long empire waist coat and flats. My shoes are in my bag. I'm waiting for the tube and I actually just missed it so I'm the only person standing on my side of the platform. I'm on the phone with friend. I notice a man walk by but I don't really pay any attention. I end the call and the following conversation ensues between me and the other man on the platform. This isn't word for word but it's pretty close having been imprinted in my memory as one of the strangest conversations ever:
Him: (really loud) Hey, are you American or something? (He was actually standing much closer to me than I expected)
Me: (at a normal level) No, I'm Canadian
Him: REally? Canadian. Wow. So what are you doing here?
Me: Just came to work and travel.
Him:Sure sure, you came to check out the London men.
Me: What?!
Him: I know, don't worry. How old are you?
Me: 23, how old are you? (I asked this because he looked about 35 and I was hoping my young age would bring him shame and scare him off)
Him: 27 (bullshitty!! He was definitely at least 35, he had grey hairs in his beard)
Me: 27, really? I see. (Here I tried to end the conversation by looking away in the direction of the train for a good 20 seconds)
Him: How long have you been here?
Me: 3 weeks
Him: REally? Wow. Then you need someone to show you around.
Me: No, I don't.
Him: Yes you do. I'll show you around. I'll show you a good time.
Me: No, really, I have plenty of people to show me around. I'm fine, thanks though.
Him: Do you live near here?
Me: Yes.
Him: Where?
Me: Near here.
Him: Do you have a man? (This was less of a question and more of a demand, I had barely finished responding to his previous question)
Me: Ummm...no. (As soon as I said no, I realized I should have said yes)
Him: WHAT?! (this was pretty much yelled and made the people on the other side of the platform look over)
Me: ......(silence and looking away again, praying for the train to come)
Him: How is is possible? (Still pretty much yelling)
Me: ......I'm not sure?
Him: New, Canadian and fine, how can you not have a man? (Still way too loud)
Me: (praying: Dear God, please let the train come, please, please, please)
Him: mmm mmm (still staring at me)
Me: Oh, thank God. (the train pulls up. I walk away from him and he follows. I stop near one door, he stops, then I walk on to another car, he follows. I sigh and get on. He follows me on and starts gesturing to one of the two-person seats at the back. I ignore him and go sit one seat away from a man and put my bag down beside me. He comes to stand beside where I'm sitting, I ignore him)
Him: (leaning over and into my face) How can you not have a man?
Me: I'm quite happy actually.
Him: You're happy without a man? (incredulously)
Me: Ya.
Him: What, are you celibate or something?
Me: What?!
Him: Are you celibate?
Me: How is that any of your business (I'm starting to be rude now)
Him: I asked you a question.
Me: Well the answer is none of your business.
Him: How come sexual questions are so prohibited in our society?
Me: Seriously?? Because of their nature (In retrospect I should have gotten up and moved away but I was so annoyed with this psycho, I couldn't help answering)
Him: No, really, why are sexual questions so prohibited? What is everyone afraid of? (He seemed to think he was being really philosophical and deep)
Me:....(silence)
Him: (after about 1 full minute of silence) Can I just ask you one more question that's been on my mind for a while now?
Me: (silence, looking straight ahead)
Him: Why don't you wear you natural hair? I see all these black women wearing white woman hair and it pisses me off. Are you ashamed? Why do you want to look like a white woman?
Me: I can't really answer on behalf of all black women.
Him: Well then answer on behalf of you.
Me: I just like my hair like this, alright?!! ( I was PISSED. He should know that you DO NOT ask a black woman why she wears weaves or imply that she shouldn't. You just don't.)
Him: Alright, alright, it was just a question.
I guess he saw how mad I was cause he didn't say anything else after that. And, thank God, he did not follow me off the tube when I got off. I was kinda scared he would. But I was prepared to go straight to the security guard if he did. So that guy wins the Weirdo Award of the week. I pray I do not meet anyone weirder than that this week. And that I don't ever run into him again. Below are the pics of my hair which apparently so offended the weirdo and yet is probably half the reason he noticed me in the first place. Dumbass.
Friday, September 25, 2009
New hair!
It's official: big curly hair has hit London!!! I went for the Vanessa Hudgens look but with more bangs and I am loving it!!
Today was the last day of The Job from Hell. The people were really nice but I didn't really fraternize much cause I hated the job so. It's funny, they kept apologizing to me for how terrible the work was and I kept saying 'no, it's fine!'. But in my head I was like 'Kill me, kill me now!'. They even invited me to come to the pub with them after work today but I said that I couldn't. I could have but they remind me of the work and I need to wipe this experience from my mind. And the recruitment agency asked me to come back next Mon-Wed and I said no thank you. I know I could use the money but if the choice is between money or my will to live, I choose my will to live.
My older cousins and their oldest daughter are all away for the weekend. It's just me and my 15 year old cousin here. I adore her, she's so fantastic. Very mature, very artsy/folky/rock. I actually wish I could have been like her when I was 15. She has a bunch of friends over right now and they're downstairs drinking and such. Very chill, very British. I kinda wanna go hang out but I don't wanna crash. I chatted for a bit, asked them not to smoke anything in the house and ensured the boys weren't spending the night. Holy crap! One of the girls is puking in the bathroom! Oh to be a teen again. Crap, that sounds bad. Better go make sure she's ok...
Today was the last day of The Job from Hell. The people were really nice but I didn't really fraternize much cause I hated the job so. It's funny, they kept apologizing to me for how terrible the work was and I kept saying 'no, it's fine!'. But in my head I was like 'Kill me, kill me now!'. They even invited me to come to the pub with them after work today but I said that I couldn't. I could have but they remind me of the work and I need to wipe this experience from my mind. And the recruitment agency asked me to come back next Mon-Wed and I said no thank you. I know I could use the money but if the choice is between money or my will to live, I choose my will to live.
My older cousins and their oldest daughter are all away for the weekend. It's just me and my 15 year old cousin here. I adore her, she's so fantastic. Very mature, very artsy/folky/rock. I actually wish I could have been like her when I was 15. She has a bunch of friends over right now and they're downstairs drinking and such. Very chill, very British. I kinda wanna go hang out but I don't wanna crash. I chatted for a bit, asked them not to smoke anything in the house and ensured the boys weren't spending the night. Holy crap! One of the girls is puking in the bathroom! Oh to be a teen again. Crap, that sounds bad. Better go make sure she's ok...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Boring Crap & More British Facts
The reason I've not been blogging this week is because it's been SUCH a boring week. Went from one dull temp job to another. This second job though is unbearable. I'm doing it until the end of the week. It's data formatting which is actually much much less interesting than it sounds (and I know it doesn't sound interesting in the first place).The only good part about the job is that it pays well and I get to listen to music in headphones all day long. I literally do the same thing over and over and over again all day long. The funny thing is there is no way in hell I can finish everything by Friday and when I mentioned that today they were like 'oh yes, we figured that it would take probably about two weeks but we wanted to start with these three days'. When I heard two weeks I started looking for the nearest window so that I could throw myself out of it and therefore be too injured to work. I think I'm just not going to say yes if the recruitment agency asks me to work there next week. I'll just explain that I can't continue unless they want to be responsible for me going berserk.
Anyways, here are some more Fun British Facts:
-Brits sign their text messages with either x or xo or xx. I like it and I've adopted it, as some of you may have noticed.
-British accents make cute children unbelievably adorable and obnoxious children seem like the spawn of Satan. It's shocking how much worse annoying children are when they have British accents! I've started just getting up and moving away from them when they sit down near me on the tube. I always look back after I've sat in my new seat and look right at the children then the parents to confirm what they have already started to guess: they are, in fact, the reason I've moved. I've done this three or four times so far. It sadly does not work during sardine can time or 'rush hour'. During those times I must endure the horrid 'children'(spawn) and exchange empathetic glances with the other people around me.
-Brits call crosswalks 'Zebra Crossings'. They don't have big overhead flashing signs like we do. In fact the crossings are quite inconspicuous. They're narrow and have a black and white striped pole with a light on top at either end and the asphalt is painted black and white as well. Sounds conspicuous, I know, but trust me, it's not.
- Fried chicken shacks are insanely popular here. They're normally called Chicken Cottage or Chicken Village or something along those lines (Chicken City) and I must say they're not too bad. I haven't tried a chicken Cottage but I've had Chicken Village and it was delicious. I will take all visitors there so I hope you like fried chicken!
-There are more Lebanese restaurants here than any other ethnic restaurant. And the vast majority of restaurants here are ethnic aside from the chains. Seriously, there is at least four Lebanese places for every one McD's or Burger King. It's unbelievable. Sometimes two or three in one block then two or three in the next block as well!! I asked the girls at my temp job what the hell was up with it and they said it's cause Londoners like 'Kabobs'. But not the kabobs like we have at home. What they described is like a giant piece of meat on a stick that twirls around and then pieces of meat are sliced off it as it turns. We have that at home but I can't remember what we call it. Anyone??? It's Greek I think. Not souvlaki but something else. Anyways, I haven't worked up my nerve to try a Lebanese restaurant yet, mainly cause there are so many I'm scared I will go to a bad one and get Salmonella and die.
-Here, 'public school' refers to what we call 'private schools' at home. Strange, no?
-The majority of schools are same sex. The few coed schools are apparently 'quite dodgy'
-Here they call eggplants 'aubergines'. I was out for dinner on Saturday and I was like 'What the hell is an aubergine?? Is that pork? Sausage??' Ya no, it's eggplant. There's another vegetable they call a weird name too but I've forgotten.
-My cousin is friends with Gary Oleman's son. ACK!
-This is less a fact and more an observation: there is a large amount of women in London who's chests are disproportionately large. I mean like a size 4 with D cups. It's weird. I would say about 1 in 5 women have giant gajungas for their size. It's so prevalent I've noticed it. My theory is that it has to do with all the whole cream and milk and the fresh cheese and yogurt. I plan to test this theory over the next two years on myself. I'll let you know how it turns out...
-Nottinghill is a predominantly black area. They 'whited it out' for the movie. Isn't that odd?? I thought it was full of rich white people but it's actually full of middle class/upper middle class black people.
That's all I can remember right now. I need to start writing them down when they come to me. Some pics below.
This is a theatre on Oxford street with an awesome sign. It's HUGE.
Went back to Haagen Daz on Monday. We're addicted! This is just one scoop of strawberry cheesecake topped with caramelized pecans. The caramelized hazelnuts are better but the ice cream was just as delicious as last time.
Can you see this?? I think if you double click on it you can see it bigger. This is Leicester Square at around 8 on a Monday night. Crazy crazy busy.
Another shot of the bustling square.
I am DYING to see The Lion King.
I don't know where this is or what it is. I think it's in Nottinghill actually. But I just thought it was a really nice British-looking building so I figured I'd share it with you all.
Anyways, here are some more Fun British Facts:
-Brits sign their text messages with either x or xo or xx. I like it and I've adopted it, as some of you may have noticed.
-British accents make cute children unbelievably adorable and obnoxious children seem like the spawn of Satan. It's shocking how much worse annoying children are when they have British accents! I've started just getting up and moving away from them when they sit down near me on the tube. I always look back after I've sat in my new seat and look right at the children then the parents to confirm what they have already started to guess: they are, in fact, the reason I've moved. I've done this three or four times so far. It sadly does not work during sardine can time or 'rush hour'. During those times I must endure the horrid 'children'(spawn) and exchange empathetic glances with the other people around me.
-Brits call crosswalks 'Zebra Crossings'. They don't have big overhead flashing signs like we do. In fact the crossings are quite inconspicuous. They're narrow and have a black and white striped pole with a light on top at either end and the asphalt is painted black and white as well. Sounds conspicuous, I know, but trust me, it's not.
- Fried chicken shacks are insanely popular here. They're normally called Chicken Cottage or Chicken Village or something along those lines (Chicken City) and I must say they're not too bad. I haven't tried a chicken Cottage but I've had Chicken Village and it was delicious. I will take all visitors there so I hope you like fried chicken!
-There are more Lebanese restaurants here than any other ethnic restaurant. And the vast majority of restaurants here are ethnic aside from the chains. Seriously, there is at least four Lebanese places for every one McD's or Burger King. It's unbelievable. Sometimes two or three in one block then two or three in the next block as well!! I asked the girls at my temp job what the hell was up with it and they said it's cause Londoners like 'Kabobs'. But not the kabobs like we have at home. What they described is like a giant piece of meat on a stick that twirls around and then pieces of meat are sliced off it as it turns. We have that at home but I can't remember what we call it. Anyone??? It's Greek I think. Not souvlaki but something else. Anyways, I haven't worked up my nerve to try a Lebanese restaurant yet, mainly cause there are so many I'm scared I will go to a bad one and get Salmonella and die.
-Here, 'public school' refers to what we call 'private schools' at home. Strange, no?
-The majority of schools are same sex. The few coed schools are apparently 'quite dodgy'
-Here they call eggplants 'aubergines'. I was out for dinner on Saturday and I was like 'What the hell is an aubergine?? Is that pork? Sausage??' Ya no, it's eggplant. There's another vegetable they call a weird name too but I've forgotten.
-My cousin is friends with Gary Oleman's son. ACK!
-This is less a fact and more an observation: there is a large amount of women in London who's chests are disproportionately large. I mean like a size 4 with D cups. It's weird. I would say about 1 in 5 women have giant gajungas for their size. It's so prevalent I've noticed it. My theory is that it has to do with all the whole cream and milk and the fresh cheese and yogurt. I plan to test this theory over the next two years on myself. I'll let you know how it turns out...
-Nottinghill is a predominantly black area. They 'whited it out' for the movie. Isn't that odd?? I thought it was full of rich white people but it's actually full of middle class/upper middle class black people.
That's all I can remember right now. I need to start writing them down when they come to me. Some pics below.
This is a theatre on Oxford street with an awesome sign. It's HUGE.
Went back to Haagen Daz on Monday. We're addicted! This is just one scoop of strawberry cheesecake topped with caramelized pecans. The caramelized hazelnuts are better but the ice cream was just as delicious as last time.
Can you see this?? I think if you double click on it you can see it bigger. This is Leicester Square at around 8 on a Monday night. Crazy crazy busy.
Another shot of the bustling square.
I am DYING to see The Lion King.
I don't know where this is or what it is. I think it's in Nottinghill actually. But I just thought it was a really nice British-looking building so I figured I'd share it with you all.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Relaxing London Weekend
Not too exciting a weekend to report. It was very enjoyable for me, but it wouldn't be much to write about. Slept in yesterday then went to church. Went out to eat after church with a group of people from church, it was nice. We went to an Italian restaurant that was delicious! Only downside to eating was the fact that there was so much pork on the menu. Everything either had sausage, ham or was vegetarian. There were only about 2 chicken dishes on the whole menu. But they were pretty flexible so that was good. We also had starters of bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. AMAZING. How do I always forget about that?? I bought some balsamic vinegar today cause I already have some olive oil. That is going to be my dinner one night with bread when I'm too lazy to cook. We also had a starter of mixed olives which was also delicious. I bought some olives today and ate them all in one sitting :O They were pimento stuffed green olives with some kind of cheese. So yummy.
Anyways, aside from the food, just stayed in and took things easy. Did some laundry, which was good. It reminded me that I actually do have a lot of clothes and I do not NEED to shop....at least that's what I keep telling myself in hopes that I'll start to believe it.
Friday my mom's cousin took me out and about at night. We saw the Queen's castle (sooo huge and amazing!) and the Tower of London (sooo creepy!) and Tower Bridge (seee below). And Big Ben. All great. Sadly it was too dark to get really good pictures, but I do have a few pics below for those of you who keep asking. I'll get some more this week as well to post on here. I apologize yet again for being so bad with the pics!
This a gorgeous canal right near my house. I pass it everyday on the way to the tube station. There's a cute little foot bridge across it. Yes, that's right, I walk fear-free across a bridge everyday! Aren't you proud of me?? Also, this pic is a little misleading cause it looks super gorgeous from this angle, but if you look right over the rail of the bridge there's a ton of leaves and garbage and crap right under the bridge.
This is a random sculpture we saw on Friday. It's on this boardwalk type thing near Tower bridge overlooking the Thames. I'm not sure what the sculpture is supposed to be but I sure know what it reminds me off.....
This is Tower Bridge, it's gorgeous. The architecture is insane and it's really really old. I was, of course, terrified to go over it but my cousin made me and it wasn't actually that bad. And then he told me that it's the only bridge in London that opens open to let ships pass underneath it. See below...
This is the bridge opening up for a huge ship to pass through. It looked like a cruise ship, but I didn't think cruises stop in London. If so, that is a gooood cruise! Seriously though, how gorgeous is this bridge?? This is the view from the boardwalk, by the way. It's kind of an above ground boardwalk...hard to explain...looks like you'll just have to come visit me so I can take you there ;)
Anyways, aside from the food, just stayed in and took things easy. Did some laundry, which was good. It reminded me that I actually do have a lot of clothes and I do not NEED to shop....at least that's what I keep telling myself in hopes that I'll start to believe it.
Friday my mom's cousin took me out and about at night. We saw the Queen's castle (sooo huge and amazing!) and the Tower of London (sooo creepy!) and Tower Bridge (seee below). And Big Ben. All great. Sadly it was too dark to get really good pictures, but I do have a few pics below for those of you who keep asking. I'll get some more this week as well to post on here. I apologize yet again for being so bad with the pics!
This a gorgeous canal right near my house. I pass it everyday on the way to the tube station. There's a cute little foot bridge across it. Yes, that's right, I walk fear-free across a bridge everyday! Aren't you proud of me?? Also, this pic is a little misleading cause it looks super gorgeous from this angle, but if you look right over the rail of the bridge there's a ton of leaves and garbage and crap right under the bridge.
This is a random sculpture we saw on Friday. It's on this boardwalk type thing near Tower bridge overlooking the Thames. I'm not sure what the sculpture is supposed to be but I sure know what it reminds me off.....
This is Tower Bridge, it's gorgeous. The architecture is insane and it's really really old. I was, of course, terrified to go over it but my cousin made me and it wasn't actually that bad. And then he told me that it's the only bridge in London that opens open to let ships pass underneath it. See below...
This is the bridge opening up for a huge ship to pass through. It looked like a cruise ship, but I didn't think cruises stop in London. If so, that is a gooood cruise! Seriously though, how gorgeous is this bridge?? This is the view from the boardwalk, by the way. It's kind of an above ground boardwalk...hard to explain...looks like you'll just have to come visit me so I can take you there ;)
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